The Amazing Sony A1/A7/A9/APS-C & Anything else welcome Mega Thread!

[Bobsyeruncle]

Cards are expensive for sure. I got some of the Manfrotto Tough UHS-II cards on offer so I'm all set, but the CFexpress would bankrupt me I think

I can't use the old grip so 'had' to go with the Mark II

Having had an A7ii previously, the grip was never an issue for me....

 

[Malfis]

What about all Tamron ... 17-28mm f/2.8, 28-75mm f/2.8, 70-180mm f/2.8 Just over 2k at Panamoz.

Only thing is I used Tamron when I first started photography and they were pretty average then and it puts me off a little.

Tamron nowadays are far removed from the time you are concerned about - they are now very good. (I believe they now have some sort of tie up to Sony?)
I have the Tamron 28-200mm to run alongside my 200-600mm, and it's very good.

Jesus ... the 1.4x aint cheap is it !

I sold my 1.4 T/C - if necessary I now shoot in crop mode (1.5x). The file size is 10+ GB, plenty enough for social media and forums etc., and if I need a larger file size I run it through Topaz Gigapixel.

 

[rob-nikon]

Tamron nowadays are far removed from the time you are concerned about - they are now very good. (I believe they now have some sort of tie up to Sony?)
I have the Tamron 28-200mm to run alongside my 200-600mm, and it's very good.

I’m still thinking of the Tamron 28-200. I’d consider pairing it with the tamron 17-28. If I didn’t already have the Sony 24-105 the choice would be much easier.

 

[rob-nikon]

Jesus ... the 1.4x aint cheap is it !

Have a look at the price of canons RF teleconverters, it won’t feel as bad then

 

[nandbytes]

Jesus ... the 1.4x aint cheap is it !

My mate may still have one for sale
It's actually the cheapest of the mirrorless lot lol

What about all Tamron ... 17-28mm f/2.8, 28-75mm f/2.8, 70-180mm f/2.8 Just over 2k at Panamoz.

Only thing is I used Tamron when I first started photography and they were pretty average then and it puts me off a little.

Those days are behind tamron, their optics are some of the best these days.

For example 17-28mm review:
"The 17-28mm, in particular, is about as close to magically violating the “price, size, optical quality” pyramid as you’re likely to get."

MTF Tests of the Tamron 17-28mm and 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD Lenses

Tamron has a nice set of three f/2.8 zooms for Sony E mount cameras. Today I'm putting out MTF results for the 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD and the 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD. They offer a reasonably priced alternative to Sony-branded lenses, and Tamron has been making good products lately. I'll admit...

www.lensrentals.com

Though I think the sigma 28-70mm f2.8 is tad bit better than tamron 28-75mm/2.8 which is an older design and one of the first 3rdv party mirrorless FF zooms
Also sigma 24-70mm f2.8 isn't all that expensive and excellent.

 

[ancient_mariner]

I’m still thinking of the Tamron 28-200. I’d consider pairing it with the tamron 17-28. If I didn’t already have the Sony 24-105 the choice would be much easier.

I'm nudging towards flogging the 24-105 for the 28-200*. Thing is, if I want best image quality then I'll use primes (most of the time actually) and for travel where the flexibility is more important then I'd pair it with the older Sigma 12-24/LA-EA4 combo to give me the wide angle shots I want, plus the 55 f1.8 & Sammy 35 f2.8 for minimal size.

*I have an older 28-200 that I should pop on the adapter & take walkabouts just to see if it works for me.

 

[robj20]

The 28-200 I don't think will be my walk about lens. For me is an alternative to a 70-200 but with extra usefulness.

Still want a 24-70 the Sigma might be too big though.
Why are there no alternatives to the Sony 24-70 f4.

 

[rob-nikon]

I'm nudging towards flogging the 24-105 for the 28-200*. Thing is, if I want best image quality then I'll use primes (most of the time actually) and for travel where the flexibility is more important then I'd pair it with the older Sigma 12-24/LA-EA4 combo to give me the wide angle shots I want, plus the 55 f1.8 & Sammy 35 f2.8 for minimal size.

*I have an older 28-200 that I should pop on the adapter & take walkabouts just to see if it works for me.

I’m thinking of the tamron combo for landscapes as they would be smaller and lighter than the Sony 24-105 and 100-400. The tamron 17-28 and 28-200 seems a better option for walking up mountains/fells in the Lake District. It would be great to have both but I just can’t justify or see both being used enough to justify doing so.

 

[Mike.P]

Have a look at the price of canons RF teleconverters, it won’t feel as bad then

If it wasn't for the 200-600mm I would probably go with an R5 as I have 16-600mm covered with some decent EF glass but I think my Sigma 150-600mm sport is the weak spot in my lineup. IMO though the RF Canon 100-500mm is a total rip off at nearly 3k.

 

[LeeRatters]

I bought a new card a year or so ago.

I think it was £16

 

[LeeRatters]

I'm nudging towards flogging the 24-105 for the 28-200*. Thing is, if I want best image quality then I'll use primes (most of the time actually) and for travel where the flexibility is more important then I'd pair it with the older Sigma 12-24/LA-EA4 combo to give me the wide angle shots I want, plus the 55 f1.8 & Sammy 35 f2.8 for minimal size.

*I have an older 28-200 that I should pop on the adapter & take walkabouts just to see if it works for me.

Certainly worth a try to help with the decision.

I bought the Contax CZ 80-200mm as I wasn't sure on using longer focal lengths often enough to justify the Tamron 70-180mm. I use it more than I thought in all honesty.

 

[snerkler]

The 28-200 I don't think will be my walk about lens. For me is an alternative to a 70-200 but with extra usefulness.

Still want a 24-70 the Sigma might be too big though.
Why are there no alternatives to the Sony 24-70 f4.

Not sure why no-one else has done a 24-70mm f4, 24-105mm type lenses seem to be more popular in the f4's I think.

 

[wookie6262]

With the rules in Scotland meaning up to 15 can now exercise outdoors the local Dog Walking Group has started running again. Here are a couple from a muddy walk this morning. These two were the prettiest dogs out of about 25 attending. I liked the contrast with all the denim clad legs and then getting the two together. Lastly the portly brown dog reminded me of a Bear as it showed a nice spring in the step. Lovely morning for a wander

Denim Dog by Simon Wootton, on Flickr

Together by Simon Wootton, on Flickr

Brown Bear Dog by Simon Wootton, on Flickr

 

[f/2.8]

What about all Tamron ... 17-28mm f/2.8, 28-75mm f/2.8, 70-180mm f/2.8 Just over 2k at Panamoz.

Only thing is I used Tamron when I first started photography and they were pretty average then and it puts me off a little.

I have the 17-28 and the 28-75 both are very good although I only use them as a back up.

 

[Stephen L]

With the rules in Scotland meaning up to 15 can now exercise outdoors the local Dog Walking Group has started running again. Here are a couple from a muddy walk this morning. These two were the prettiest dogs out of about 25 attending. I liked the contrast with all the denim clad legs and then getting the two together. Lastly the portly brown dog reminded me of a Bear as it showed a nice spring in the step. Lovely morning for a wander

Denim Dog by Simon Wootton, on Flickr

Together by Simon Wootton, on Flickr

Brown Bear Dog by Simon Wootton, on Flickr

Nice shots. Congratulations to Daphne Broon for beating us to the start of liberty.

 

[addicknchips]

At the end of a good training session yesterday. Looking forward to the real thing starting back up next week.

 

[wookie6262]

Nice shots. Congratulations to Daphne Broon for beating us to the start of liberty.

Liberty probably stretching if too far. The Welsh appear to be first for freedom

 

[robj20]

Who else can't wait for the "Stay at home" to end tomorrow. Looking forward to going for a drive and walking somewhere different.

 

[Stephen L]

Who else can't wait for the "Stay at home" to end tomorrow. Looking forward to going for a drive and walking somewhere different.

But you’ve got to “stay local”. Define “local”. Another vague edict.

 

[robj20]

But you’ve got to “stay local”. Define “local”. Another vague edict.

It doesn't say got to anywhere.
"People will be asked to stay local but it won't be compulsory."

 

[LeeRatters]

Who else can't wait for the "Stay at home" to end tomorrow. Looking forward to going for a drive and walking somewhere different.

Yes. Not done much this weekend. Looking forward to next weekend. We've 'risked' a few 12/13 mile trips for woodland walks. Be good to do it a bit more freely and maybe even drag the Escort out of the lockup for the first time since September!

Even better if the 35GM turns up early next week!

 

[Stephen L]

It doesn't say got to anywhere.
"People will be asked to stay local but it won't be compulsory."

Good. My misinterpretation.

 

[LeftyXXIII]

Took the 28-60 out for an hour earlier (on my A7 mk1) and while the weather was miserable, I managed to get a few shots that I was happy with, and the pick of the bunch is attached.

I'm no expert, so take this with a pinch of salt, but I thought the lens was nice - there was no noticeable lag with shooting and while there were a couple of occasions I would have liked it to extend to 70, for the most part it was more than enough for a Sunday stroll.

I'm glad I didn't pay the full £449 for it, and for those with GMs or a larger budget would probably already have something better at their disposal, but for those looking for a cheaper lens, it's a step up from the kit 28-70 in my opinion.

https://flic.kr/p/2kHxDhr

 

[Fuji Dave]

Took the 28-60 out for an hour earlier (on my A7 mk1) and while the weather was miserable, I managed to get a few shots that I was happy with, and the pick of the bunch is attached.

I'm no expert, so take this with a pinch of salt, but I thought the lens was nice - there was no noticeable lag with shooting and while there were a couple of occasions I would have liked it to extend to 70, for the most part it was more than enough for a Sunday stroll.

I'm glad I didn't pay the full £449 for it, and for those with GMs or a larger budget would probably already have something better at their disposal, but for those looking for a cheaper lens, it's a step up from the kit 28-70 in my opinion.

https://flic.kr/p/2kHxDhr

Just goes to show, you don't always need a big zoom for a great shot. Nice job done.

 

[Mike.P]

Just goes to show, you don't always need a big zoom for a great shot. Nice job done.

I did this with a mobile phone on it's widest setting, saying that it had just flown into the window and had no idea I was even there.


Blackbird by Mike.Pursey, on Flickr

 

[snerkler]

Who else can't wait for the "Stay at home" to end tomorrow. Looking forward to going for a drive and walking somewhere different.

I don’t think it changes tomorrow does it? There’s the rule of 6 outside including your garden but I haven’t seen any changes in travel?

 

[Bobsyeruncle]

I don’t think it changes tomorrow does it? There’s the rule of 6 outside including your garden but I haven’t seen any changes in travel?

It does....
Travel
The ‘stay at home’ rule will end on 29 March but many restrictions will remain in place. People should continue to work from home where they can and minimise the number of journeys they make where possible, avoiding travel at the busiest times and routes. Travel abroad will continue to be prohibited, other than for a small number of permitted reasons. Holidays abroad will not be allowed, given it will remain important to manage the risk of imported variants and protect the vaccination programme. The government has launched a new taskforce to review global travel which will report on 12 April.

COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021 (Summary)

www.gov.uk

 

[Bobsyeruncle]

But you’ve got to “stay local”. Define “local”. Another vague edict.

Stay local is in Scotland.
It doesn't mention stay local in England....only to minimise journeys...

Travel
The ‘stay at home’ rule will end on 29 March but many restrictions will remain in place. People should continue to work from home where they can and minimise the number of journeys they make where possible, avoiding travel at the busiest times and routes. Travel abroad will continue to be prohibited, other than for a small number of permitted reasons. Holidays abroad will not be allowed, given it will remain important to manage the risk of imported variants and protect the vaccination programme. The government has launched a new taskforce to review global travel which will report on 12 April.

COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021 (Summary)

www.gov.uk

 

[snerkler]

It does....
Travel
The ‘stay at home’ rule will end on 29 March but many restrictions will remain in place. People should continue to work from home where they can and minimise the number of journeys they make where possible, avoiding travel at the busiest times and routes. Travel abroad will continue to be prohibited, other than for a small number of permitted reasons. Holidays abroad will not be allowed, given it will remain important to manage the risk of imported variants and protect the vaccination programme. The government has launched a new taskforce to review global travel which will report on 12 April.

COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021 (Summary)

www.gov.uk

TBH the .gov website is as clear as mud regarding this, even that wording you've quoted. However, this is much clearer

Coronavirus roadmap dates for travel as restrictions ease Monday

Lockdown rules from 29 March 2021 regarding travel explained

www.cambridge-news.co.uk

 

[Stephen L]

Our local authority is definitely saying to stay local. But I think this is said to prevent an overwhelming influx such as we had last summer. Typical hypocrisy as they depend on visitors spending money. They never get things right anyway.

 

[Gandalf]

Guys question if I may...

Those that use the 200-600mm, what Gimbal do you use ? I can only find 3 but the range greatly in Price.

 

[LeeRatters]

I'm happy just to have a bit more local travel tbh over the Mendips, maybe Quantocks, etc

I do have some Airbnb places lined up though for when it's allowed!

 

[Stephen L]

I'm happy just to have a bit more local travel tbh over the Mendips, maybe Quantocks, etc

I do have some Airbnb places lined up though for when it's allowed!

We will be staying within the Dales anyway, which can, if you squint, be classed as local as we can reach most of the Dales within an hour.

 

[LeeRatters]

We will be staying within the Dales anyway, which can, if you squint, be classed as local as we can reach most of the Dales within an hour.

Mendips 30 minutes so no issues for us

 

[Bobsyeruncle]

Guys question if I may...

Those that use the 200-600mm, what Gimbal do you use ? I can only find 3 but the range greatly in Price.

I use a Lensmaster RH2, but to be honest although I used it all the time with my previous 150-600mm sigma, I find the Sony combination a lot easier to handhold and get great results. However, if I'm sitting at a location for a few hours, I use my tripod and gimbal....

 

[mstphoto]

Guys question if I may...

Those that use the 200-600mm, what Gimbal do you use ? I can only find 3 but the range greatly in Price.

I'd like to know as well.
I've only used mines hand-held.
I've never used a gimbal before and as I'd probably only use it a few times a year, I've been looking at the Neewer CF on on Amazon.
I have a Giottos CF tripod that I won on Digital Photo magazine years ago that would be up for the job

 

[mstphoto]

This one

Neewer Tripod Head Heavy Duty Carbon Fiber 360 Degree: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo

 

[Bobsyeruncle]

This one

Neewer Tripod Head Heavy Duty Carbon Fiber 360 Degree: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo

The lensmaster is just over £50 more, and it's a great gimbal for the money.
I've had mines for years and it's still going strong....

LensMaster Gimbal Head - Buy RH 2

Buy a strong simple to use, affordable gimbal mount or gimble head, capable of holding most of the current large, super telephoto lenses available, complete with two arca swiss type plates and clamp, made in the UK

www.lensmaster.co.uk

 

[mstphoto]

The lensmaster is just over £50 more, and it's a great gimbal for the money.
I've had mines for years and it's still going strong....

LensMaster Gimbal Head - Buy RH 2

Buy a strong simple to use, affordable gimbal mount or gimble head, capable of holding most of the current large, super telephoto lenses available, complete with two arca swiss type plates and clamp, made in the UK

www.lensmaster.co.uk

That might be a better buy, Bob
Just noticed that the Neewer is for a max weight of 13kg
I'm sure the a7riii + 200-600 may be heavier than that

 

[dancook]

That might be a better buy, Bob
Just noticed that the Neewer is for a max weight of 13kg
I'm sure the a7riii + 200-600 may be heavier than that

I might have missed the humour, sorry.

The lens is 2.1KG the body is 657g - so less than 3kg in total